Norwegian Sky

Norwegian Cruise Line took on-time delivery July 28 of its $300 million, 80,000-ton cruise, M/S Norwegian Sky, from the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany. Sailing roundtrip from London, Norwegian Sky's maiden voyage will depart on Aug. 9. Norwegian Sky will reposition to Miami to operate a winter schedule of alternating eastern and western seven-day Caribbean cruises, beginning Nov. 14. Additionally, The NCL Group announced that second quarter net income was $6.4 million, compared to $1.6 million in 1998.

Some view the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino as enough of a getaway, with gambling, dining, shopping and concerts. But Hard Rock officials apparently aren't insecure: They've set up an incentive that will send visitors away -- on a cruise. The Hard Rock shops' “Win a Cruise Wednesdays” starts tomorrow and runs through Aug. 29. Every Wednesday, from 5 to 9 p.m., the retail and entertainment destination will give away a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation getaway for two on the Norwegian Sky. It works like this: First you check in at the Center Fountain to receive your “Passport to Paradise.” From 5 to 8:45 p.m., get your passport stamped at retailers to enter the grand prize drawing.

The Coast Guard was searching Saturday for a 39-year-old man who went overboard from the cruise ship Norwegian Sky around 3 a.m. about 60 miles north of Nassau, Bahamas. The ship left Miami for a three-day cruise and was headed to its first port of call, Nassau. The name of the passenger was not released. Fellow passengers saw him go overboard. Also helping in the search were The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas cruise ship, the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship crew and Disney cruise line smallboat crews.

Cougars (older women) and cubs (younger men) of all ages are invited to join in the fun on a single's cruise from Miami to the Bahamas this December on the Norwegian Sky. The three-night cruise will visit Nassau and also Norwegian Cruise Line's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, according to a release from The Society of Single Professionals, the cruise's co-sponsor. Cruise only prices start at $331 per person for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy and includes port charges and taxes.

Some view the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino as enough of a getaway, with gambling, dining, shopping and concerts. But Hard Rock officials apparently aren't insecure: They've set up an incentive that will send visitors away -- on a cruise. The Hard Rock shops' “Win a Cruise Wednesdays” starts tomorrow and runs through Aug. 29. Every Wednesday, from 5 to 9 p.m., the retail and entertainment destination will give away a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation getaway for two on the Norwegian Sky. It works like this: First you check in at the Center Fountain to receive your “Passport to Paradise.” From 5 to 8:45 p.m., get your passport stamped at retailers to enter the grand prize drawing.

Sam Wexler surveys his 180 computer club members in Valencia Falls every year, asking how they liked the 40 to 45 programs he runs during season. He sends the 20 questions over Labor Day weekend, but this year's survey will be different. Wexler and three other computer enthusiasts in the adult communities in southwest Palm Beach County are officers of the statewide computer users' organization. They're putting together their annual conference, their first aboard a cruise ship. And instead of planning the event in advance, they're testing the waters using Sam's survey so people attending will have more input.

Showtime in the clubhouse of Holiday Springs will present entertainer Joyce Kaye with laughs, music and songs and impressionist Larry Branchetti. The show begins at 8 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $8. The clubhouse is at 3131 Holiday Springs Blvd. Call 954-752-6330. COCONUT CREEK '99 Tropical Trot fund-raiser set Make plans to attend the 1999 Tropical Trot that benefits Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida Inc., located in Tradewinds Park. The event, scheduled in November, is the nonprofit organization's major fund-raising event and includes a cocktail party, silent auction, dinner and dancing.

Fort Lauderdale's Orient Lines will increase its local staff by half when sister Norwegian Cruise Line gives it the ship Norwegian Crown in May 2000, the companies said on Thursday. The two cruise operators, both owned by Norwegian company NCL Holding, announced last week that the 1,050-passenger Norwegian Crown would be transferred from Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet to Orient Lines. The sister cruise lines said at a news conference on Thursday that the ship transfer is expected to significantly increase profits for the parent company because Orient Lines' daily rates are about 50 percent higher than Norwegian Cruise Line's rates.

Cruising the way you want it. That's the newest idea to hit the seas. A common complaint among those who avoid vacations at sea is that cruising is too regimented. That is, you have to dine when the line says so, rather than when you want to. That complaint is usually accompanied by others, such as, "You have to dress up some nights," and "Cruising is too confining." Well, Mr. or Miss No Cruise, have we got news for you. Your excuses have all been washed out to sea. Norwegian Cruise Line is introducing "Freestyle Cruising" to provide passengers with a "more relaxed, resort-style cruise product with complete flexibility and non-intrusive service of the highest standard," said Colin Veitch, president of NCL. "The implementation of Freestyle Cruising marks a tremendous milestone for NCL and a return to innovative cruise vacations."

This is a voyage for believers. Or for people yearning to believe that the spirit, the energy, the soul -- whatever you call it -- of the dearly departed waits in another realm and is ready to make contact. Even if your dearly departed is a beloved German shepherd. Setting sail on March 26, a one-week Caribbean cruise aboard the Norwegian Sky will be a regular poltergeist party with more than 200 bereaved passengers trying to get in touch with lost loved ones. And they'll have plenty of help when the ship sets sail from the Port of Miami.

Sam Wexler surveys his 180 computer club members in Valencia Falls every year, asking how they liked the 40 to 45 programs he runs during season. He sends the 20 questions over Labor Day weekend, but this year's survey will be different. Wexler and three other computer enthusiasts in the adult communities in southwest Palm Beach County are officers of the statewide computer users' organization. They're putting together their annual conference, their first aboard a cruise ship. And instead of planning the event in advance, they're testing the waters using Sam's survey so people attending will have more input.

The Coast Guard was searching Saturday for a 39-year-old man who went overboard from the cruise ship Norwegian Sky around 3 a.m. about 60 miles north of Nassau, Bahamas. The ship left Miami for a three-day cruise and was headed to its first port of call, Nassau. The name of the passenger was not released. Fellow passengers saw him go overboard. Also helping in the search were The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas cruise ship, the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship crew and Disney cruise line smallboat crews.

Cruising the way you want it. That's the newest idea to hit the seas. A common complaint among those who avoid vacations at sea is that cruising is too regimented. That is, you have to dine when the line says so, rather than when you want to. That complaint is usually accompanied by others, such as, "You have to dress up some nights," and "Cruising is too confining." Well, Mr. or Miss No Cruise, have we got news for you. Your excuses have all been washed out to sea. Norwegian Cruise Line is introducing "Freestyle Cruising" to provide passengers with a "more relaxed, resort-style cruise product with complete flexibility and non-intrusive service of the highest standard," said Colin Veitch, president of NCL. "The implementation of Freestyle Cruising marks a tremendous milestone for NCL and a return to innovative cruise vacations."

This is a voyage for believers. Or for people yearning to believe that the spirit, the energy, the soul -- whatever you call it -- of the dearly departed waits in another realm and is ready to make contact. Even if your dearly departed is a beloved German shepherd. Setting sail on March 26, a one-week Caribbean cruise aboard the Norwegian Sky will be a regular poltergeist party with more than 200 bereaved passengers trying to get in touch with lost loved ones. And they'll have plenty of help when the ship sets sail from the Port of Miami.

Showtime in the clubhouse of Holiday Springs will present entertainer Joyce Kaye with laughs, music and songs and impressionist Larry Branchetti. The show begins at 8 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $8. The clubhouse is at 3131 Holiday Springs Blvd. Call 954-752-6330. COCONUT CREEK '99 Tropical Trot fund-raiser set Make plans to attend the 1999 Tropical Trot that benefits Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida Inc., located in Tradewinds Park. The event, scheduled in November, is the nonprofit organization's major fund-raising event and includes a cocktail party, silent auction, dinner and dancing.

Norwegian Cruise Line took on-time delivery July 28 of its $300 million, 80,000-ton cruise, M/S Norwegian Sky, from the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany. Sailing roundtrip from London, Norwegian Sky's maiden voyage will depart on Aug. 9. Norwegian Sky will reposition to Miami to operate a winter schedule of alternating eastern and western seven-day Caribbean cruises, beginning Nov. 14. Additionally, The NCL Group announced that second quarter net income was $6.4 million, compared to $1.6 million in 1998.

Cougars (older women) and cubs (younger men) of all ages are invited to join in the fun on a single's cruise from Miami to the Bahamas this December on the Norwegian Sky. The three-night cruise will visit Nassau and also Norwegian Cruise Line's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, according to a release from The Society of Single Professionals, the cruise's co-sponsor. Cruise only prices start at $331 per person for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy and includes port charges and taxes.

Norwegian Cruise Line plans to offer special themed dining events onboard several of its Freestyle Cruising ships on April 29 to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine "Kate" Middleton. Among the offerings are a Prince and Princess Brunch for $15 per person and afternoon Royal High Tea at $10 per person, the Miami-based cruise operator said recently. Other traditional English fare such as fish and chips and bread and butter pudding will be served in select restaurants.

Fort Lauderdale's Orient Lines will increase its local staff by half when sister Norwegian Cruise Line gives it the ship Norwegian Crown in May 2000, the companies said on Thursday. The two cruise operators, both owned by Norwegian company NCL Holding, announced last week that the 1,050-passenger Norwegian Crown would be transferred from Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet to Orient Lines. The sister cruise lines said at a news conference on Thursday that the ship transfer is expected to significantly increase profits for the parent company because Orient Lines' daily rates are about 50 percent higher than Norwegian Cruise Line's rates.